WHILE irrepressible snob Hyacinth Bucket was busy insisting on the correct pronunciation of her name – "It's Bouquet" was her constant, shrill, refrain – brother-in-law Onslow was so laid back he was virtually horizontal.

The contrast between the poles-apart duo created some of the most memorable scenes in Roy Clarke's long-running sitcom, Keeping Up Appearances.

Social climber Hyacinth was frequently exasperated by the antics of her family, and more than often acutely humiliated by their very existence.

Played by Patricia Routledge, Hyacinth's frustration at her inability to progress in the 'right' social circles was frequently directed at layabout scrounger Onslow.

And despite the TV show officially ending in 2005, Clarke's creations have been resurrected with a specially written theatre adaptation, which is currently on a nationwide tour.

Featuring all the characters from the BBC comedy, the play arrives at The Regent Theatre later in the month. Rachel Bell takes the role of Mrs Bucket.

Meanwhile, her coach-potato relative is played by comedian Gareth Hale.

Best known as one half of comedy partnership Hale and Pace, the 57-year-old has gone on to star in The Royal and the now-defunct soap opera Family Affairs.

Gareth says: "The audience reaction to Keeping Up Appearances so far has been great. It's getting lots of laughs.

"Roy Clarke, the original writer, has created the stage version and I think has been very mindful to create a standalone piece that works for the theatre.

"But it's one of the few things that was a genuinely family watch.

"You had different generations all viewing it at the same time.

"That's a real mark of quality writing, to entertain people across the board."

In the stage version, Hyacinth's long-suffering neighbour Emmett (Steven Pinder) is directing an am-dram production at the local village hall.

Gareth says: "He's absolutely scared to death that Hyacinth will want to get involved.

"She promises him that she won't interfere until, that is, she finds out that there's a part for a duchess.

"That immediately sparks off her snob valve and she just has to play the part."

A former teacher, Gareth teamed up with long-time friend Norman Pace when they were still at college together.

Both have now branched out into theatre, with Norman recently performing in Agatha Christie spoof Murdered To Death at the Lyceum Theatre in Crewe.

So do they still keep in contact?

"Not if I can help it," laughs Gareth. "No, we have worked out that if he's not working, he'll come and see my show and if I'm not working I'll go and watch him. We still keep in touch."

Gareth's certainly looking forward to his latest role – although he's perhaps overly-generous when it comes to listing Onslow's dubious merits.

He hints that the beer-slugging sloth is in fact a man of hidden depths.

"When you look back at the TV show you realise that he's quite a smart chap and his interests are perhaps a bit more cerebral than you may have first thought," Gareth chuckles. "Although he's also unforgivably un-PC to his wife at times. He has got some great put-down lines.

"I wear a rather cheeky string vest in the play. I have to. I think there would be a small riot if I didn't."

Keeping Up Appearances is at The Regent Theatre, Hanley, from Monday, July 26 until Saturday, July 31.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm and there is an additional Wednesday and Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Call the box office on 0844 8717627 for tickets.